Drug War Critics Rally On 40th Anniversary

Friday, June 17, 2011

Neiko Will and Amalia Bersin

On the 40th anniversary of the War on Drugs, the Obama administration seems to be favoring rehabilitation over prosecution. But at rallies today against the nation’s longest war in San Diego and elsewhere, critics say it’s too little, and far too late.

Gretchen Burns Bergman is founder of A New PATH, an organization promoting a public health approach to drug policy. She sees sending addicts to jail as counterproductive. Her son spent 10 years in and out of jail for marijuana use.

“People don’t really have a very clear picture of what goes on behind bars and what the prison culture is. And it’s certainly nothing you would ever want your children to have a big education in,” said Bergman.

The government spends billions every year to incarcerate drug offenders with relatively little success, according to Bergman. She supports decriminalizing non-violent drug offenses and advocates for policies focusing on rehabilitation and therapy.

A New PATH is hosting a rally to end the War on Drugs in Pioneer Park in Mission Hills this afternoon at 5.

Bergman is not alone in her fight against the Drug War. Multiple events around the country are taking place against the current drug policy.